A memorable lunch

Thursday

Aug 14, 2014 at 10:00 AM

By Jim Ruppert

Gene Callahan was paying off a lost lunch bet — he kiddingly told me I snookered him when he found out Springfield Hall of Famer Joe Hamende made it to Triple-A as I said but not the big leagues as he was certain — when we sat at Sportsman’s Lounge on a hot day a few weeks ago.

We were just about finished when an old friend to both of us, John Wallenstein, walked in and joined us. I don’t remember exactly what we talked about, but the odds are it was something sports related.

In a period of about 72 hours last week, we unexpectedly lost both of them. Our hearts go out to their loved ones.

Guys like that don’t come around too often, and they will never be replaced. I was one of the lucky ones. I got to spend time with both. May they rest in peace.